US applied to automotive coolant to reach 5 million pounds of refined glycerine in 2012

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) released the news last weekend that the use of glycerol in light and heavy-duty vehicle cooling systems has entered the commercialization stage this year due to the green pass for alternative ethylene glycol. Industry insiders anticipate that the amount of refined glycerol applied to automotive coolants in 2012 will reach 5 million pounds, which will reach 10 million pounds by 2013.

It is understood that it has been one year since ASTM announced the first batch of glycerine specification for engine coolant, and related groups and manufacturers are still working hard to expand the application of glycerol in this field. The Coordinator of the ASTM Committee, Curry, introduced that the standard project was initiated in 2010. The first glycerol ASTM specifications D7640 and D7714 for engine coolant and AST standard D7715 for light and heavy-duty vehicle coolants were approved in April 2011, resulting in the development of a standard system for glycerol for engine coolants. .

Glycerin is a by-product of the production of soaps, fatty acids, and biodiesel. 99.5% high-purity refined glycerin can become one of the cooling system's blending component oils, such as automotive coolants. In recent years, people are paying more and more attention to bio-based refined glycerol automotive coolants with green labels. Because the traditional automotive coolant component, ethylene glycol, is a toxic chemical, the discharged antifreeze solution will cause serious pollution to water quality, soil, and surrounding environment after it is discharged into the sewer. It will harm human health, and the refined glycerol will evaporate slowly. , less loss, non-flammable, safe and environmentally friendly.

On the other hand, the vigorous development of the biodiesel industry in the United States is relatively turbulent, and the performance of by-product glycerol is quite different, and many preliminary work is needed in the process of replacing ethylene glycol. It is reported that the industrial production of biodiesel in the United States is mainly based on soybean oil, vegetable oils, and fats and oils (such as animal fats, poultry fats and butter) and other raw materials. Most producers choose different production methods based on raw material prices.

Previously, strict regulatory measures limited the use of refined glycerol instead of ethylene glycol. Before ASTM approved this application, it has set up a year-long dynamic checkpoint during the operation of the car.

In order to accelerate the pace of refining glycerol as a replacement for ethylene glycol, many related groups have begun to enter into testing of process and performance standards to ensure the feasibility of glycerine application and set up the ASTM Glycerin Task Force. The oleochemical organization plans to shorten the cycle of performance improvement and certification when glycerol is more reliable for the technical economics of engine coolant. Industry participants in the coolant market are also planning to join forces to get ASTM approval for glycerol as a coolant engine before the commercialization of the new product line. At present, the United States refined glycerol producers such as Cargill, Procter & Gamble and other companies are actively involved.